Unlike 3 Nephi 12 & 13, the message in chapter 14
follows Matthew 7, with a few minor changes.
The Savior had been speaking to the Nephite Twelve. He
returns His attention to the multitude and continues the Sermon at the Temple.
They are told not to judge others. However they judge, when
they are judge, they will be judged by this standard.[1]
“To judge, or not to judge—is that the question? The
seemingly contradictory uses of the word judge in the Book of Mormon can be
confusing. In 3 Nephi 14:1 the Savior says, ‘Judge not, that ye be not judged.’
Yet Moroni 7:15 says that ‘it is given unto you to judge.’ Fortunately, Moroni
7:18 clarifies the concept of judging: ‘Seeing that ye know the light by which
ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge
wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.’
The real question seems to be whether we judge rightfully or wrongfully.”[2]
When dealing with people, we should not look at a person’s
weaknesses. Remember, we have our own weaknesses. We should worry about
ourselves before worrying about anyone else. To do otherwise would make us a
hypocrite.
The Savior warns the multitude not to share sacred and holy
things with others. These people could very well mock things you believe are
holy. We see this today in the world. Opponents of the Church mock our Temple
ceremony, something we hold very sacred. Many in the world mock those who
believe in Christ. They, too, mock thing Christians, Muslims, etc. hold sacred
and holy.
Keep sacred things holy by sharing them with very few.
“Look back to 3 Nephi 14:6 … That is a very brutal-sounding
verse. I am going to turn now, though it reads here basically as it does in the
King James Version, to the Joseph Smith Translation on this passage, Matthew
7:9—11, because I think it is a wonderful addition to our understanding; it
reads:
‘Go ye unto the world, saying unto all, Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven has come nigh unto you [Notice, this that is added by the
Prophet]. And the mysteries of the kingdom ye shall keep within yourselves; for
it is not meet to give that which is holy unto the dogs; neither cast ye your
pearls unto swine, lest they trample them under their feet. For the world
cannot receive that which ye, yourselves, are not able to bear [That is
interesting. How can the world handle that which you don't even handle well? it
is saying]; wherefore ye shall not give your pearls unto them, lest they turn
again and rend you.’
“The same concept comes through in Alma 12:9, where Alma
says, ‘It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless, they
are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to
the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according
to the heed and diligence which they give unto him’ (that is, only as the
Spirit of the Lord tells them to).”[3]
If we desire to know something, we are to ask the Lord.
Those that seek truth will find it. Of course, we have to actively seek truth
and pray with a true desire to know the truth.
“Alma’s call for us to desire to believe and to ‘give place’
in our hearts for the Savior’s words reminds us that belief and faith require
our personal choice and action. We must ‘awake and arouse [our] faculties.’ We
ask before it is given unto us; we seek before we find; we knock before it is
opened unto us. We are then given this promise: ‘For every one that asketh,
receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be
opened.’”[4]
He then refers to us giving good gifts to our children. If they ask for bread, we won’t give them a
stone; if they ask for fish, we won’t give them a serpent.
He then likens us to the Father. He tells us if we, being evil, will do all we
can for our children, “how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give
good things to them that ask him?” (3 Nephi 14:9).
He repeats the Golden Rule – “all things whatsoever ye would
that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the
prophets” (3 Nephi 14:12). “Second, he then went on to repeat, ‘I do not
destroy the prophets’ (15:6), and to reconfirm, ‘this is the law and the
prophets’ (15:10). Here he used words that quote and refer back to 3 Nephi
12:17 (‘I am not come to destroy’) and 3 Nephi 14:12 (‘this is the law and the
prophets’).”[5]
[1] Judge not unrighteously
that ye be not judged; but judge righteous judgement. (JST Matthew 7:1-2).
[2] What’s
in a Word? Cynthia L. Hallen, Journal
of Book of Mormon Studies 10/2 (2001): 62
[3] The
Doctrine of the Risen Christ: Part 2, Robert L. Millet, Maxwell Institute
website.
[4] Choose
to Believe, Elder L. Whitney Clayton, April 2015 General Conference.
[5] Worthy of
Another Look: Reusages of the Words of Christ, John W. Welch, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other
Restoration Scripture 22/1 (2013): 65.
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